The No.12-seeded Kerber's new status as German No.1 - as well as her new career-high ranking of No.11 - put a target squarely on her back, as she had to fight back from a set down and early breaks in the second and third sets to make it past Australian qualifier Rodionova in a dramatic battle, 46 75 62.

"It was very tough conditions because some of the court had shadows, some was sunny, and it was windy," Kerber said. "And Anastasia played very well - I was just thinking to fight and play point by point, and I'm very happy I won.

"I love playing on red clay. I grew up on it. Last week the blue clay in Madrid wasn't so bad, I made the third round, but it's good to be back on red!"

Kerber was also pleased with her new ranking and German No.1 status, though her focus is on the process, not the rewards. "Of course I'm very happy to be the new No.1 in Germany and have my career-high too, but I actually just try to keep improving my game and my personality, and we'll see what comes."

No.13 seed Ana Ivanovic also faced some resistance but lifted her game at the biggest moments, converting on all five of her break points to beat former World No.2 and two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, 64 63.

"It was difficult at times and the gusts of wind would come out of nowhere, but it was the same for both of us," Ivanovic said after the match. "I just tried to move and adjust to it, and look at the ball and move forward when I needed to."

The only other seed in action on Day 1, No.10 seed Francesca Schiavone, wasn't as fortunate, suffering a 63 64 loss to Ekaterina Makarova at night. Italy's No.1 player, Schiavone has now lost 10 of her last 12 matches.

Arvidsson scored a 63 62 win over María José Martínez Sánchez, who won this title two years ago and subsequently cracked the Top 20, but who has also been struggling the last few months with a thigh injury - in fact this was her first singles match since she played at Indian Wells in early March.